Voltage switching circuit

ABSTRACT

A voltage switching circuit is disclosed which is constructed from a minimum number of transistors and prevents the threshold voltage margin from being lowered by causing high-voltage cutoff and supply voltage transfer functions heretofore performed by a single depletion transistor to be shared between two series-connected depletion transistors different in gate insulating film thickness or threshold voltage. Thus, without using enhancement transistors which involve an increase in pattern area a voltage switching circuit can be provided which is small in chip area, low in cost and high in yield and reliability and provides a stable operation with a low supply voltage which is impossible with one depletion transistor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is continuation of prior application Ser. No.09/983,952, filed Oct. 26, 2001, which is based upon and claims thebenefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Applications No.2000-330973, filed Oct. 30, 2000; and No. 2001-308693, filed Oct. 4,2001, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a voltage switching circuit andmore specifically to a voltage switching circuit for use in non-volatilesemiconductor devices that utilize a voltage higher than supply voltagesfor NAND cells, NOR cells, DINOR cells, or AND cells.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Devices that use a boosted voltage higher than a supply voltage,typically non-volatile semiconductor devices, need a circuit that allowsone interconnect line to charge selectively to ground voltage, a supplyvoltage Vcc, or a high voltage more than the supply voltage. An exampleof a conventional voltage switching circuit having such a function isillustrated in FIG. 1.

[0006] The voltage switching circuit of FIG. 1 comprises a first circuitconsisting of a P-channel transistor Q_(P1) and an N-channel transistorQ_(N1) which are enhancement-mode devices and connected together at anode N1, a second circuit, or a high voltage output circuit, connectedto an output node N2, and a third circuit consisting of an N-channeltransistor Q_(D3) which is a depletion-mode device having a thick gateinsulating film and connected between the nodes N1 and N2. The thickgate insulating film of the transistor Q_(D3) is intended to withstand ahigh voltage output from the high-voltage output circuit 20 to the drainside of Q_(D3).

[0007] In the first circuit, the transistor Q_(p1) has its source andsubstrate connected together to the supply voltage Vcc, its gateconnected to receive a signal Sig1, and its drain connected to the nodeN1, while the transistor QN1 has its source connected to ground (0 V),its gate connected to receive a signal Sig2, and its drain connected tothe node N1.

[0008] In the second circuit, or the high voltage output circuit 20, asignal Sig3 is input and a high voltage V_(PP) is output to the node N2.The high voltage V_(PP) is used as a program voltage for a non-volatilesemiconductor device.

[0009] In the third circuit, the transistor Q_(D3) has its sourceconnected to the node N1, its gate connected to receive a signal Sig6,and its drain connected to the node N2. The third circuit consisting ofQ_(D3) is closely related to the main part of the voltage switchingcircuit of the present invention as will be shown later and is thereforeparticularly indicated enclosed by broken line 10.

[0010] The operation of the voltage switching circuit shown in FIG. 1will be described next. The signals Sig1, Sig2, Sig3 and Sig6 are set togo from Vcc (high level) to 0 volts (low level) or vice versa. In somecases, the signal Sig6 can take a voltage # higher than 0 volts as itshigh level.

[0011] In the first circuit, when both the signals Sig1 and Sig2 gohigh, Q_(P1) turns off and Q_(N1) turns on, causing the node N1 to go to0 volts. On the other hand, when the signals Sig1 and Sig2 go low,Q_(P1) turns on and Q_(N1) turns off, so that the node N1 goes to Vcc.When the signal Sig1 goes high and the signal Sig2 goes low, both Q_(p1)and Q_(N1) turn off, so that the node N1 is placed in the floating (highimpedance) state. In this manner, 0 volts, Vcc or high-impedance statecan be output to the node N1 through the use of the signals Sig1 andSig2.

[0012] In the second circuit, when the input signal Sig3 to thehigh-voltage output circuit 20 is raised to the high level, a highvoltage V_(PP) is output to the node N2. On the other hand, when thesignal Sig3 goes low, the node N2 is placed in the high-impedance state.

[0013] In the third circuit, when the signal Sig6 goes high, thetransistor Q_(D3) turns on, so that the path between the nodes N1 and N2is rendered conductive. When the signal Sig6 goes low, the transistorQ_(D3) goes into the nonconductive state, causing the path between thenodes N1 and N2 to be cutoff.

[0014] Although the operation of each of the first, second and thirdcircuits has been described separately, the correspondence between thelevels of the signals Sig1, Sig2, Sig3 and Sig6 and the output voltagesof the conventional voltage switching circuit can be represented asfollows:

[0015] (a) [Vcc, 0V, 0V, #]=>[no output voltage (high-impedance state)]

[0016] (b) [Vcc, Vcc, 0V, #]=>[output voltage=0V]

[0017] (c) [0V, 0V, 0V, Vcc]=>[output voltage=Vcc]

[0018] (d) [0V, 0V, Vcc, 0V]=>[output voltage=V_(PP)]

[0019] The voltages within [ ] correspond to Sig1, Sig2, Sig3, and Sig6,respectively. In the case of (a) and (b), the voltage level # of Sig6has only to be higher than 0 volts.

[0020] The feature of the voltage switching circuit shown in FIG. 1 isthe provision of the depletion transistor Q_(D3) between the output nodeN2 to which the high voltage V_(PP) is output and the node N1 to whichvoltages of Vcc or less are applied. The implementation of cutoff of thepath between the nodes N1 and N2 through a single transistor allows thecircuit pattern area to be reduced.

[0021] In FIGS. 2A and 2B there is illustrated the operation of thethird circuit 10. As described previously, in order for the voltageswitching circuit to output desired voltages, the transistor Q_(D3) isrequired to display such characteristics as indicated by dotted arrowsin FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0022] Assume here that the gate voltage of Q_(D3) is Vg, the sourcevoltage is Vs, and the drain voltage is Vd. Then, Vg corresponds to thevoltage of Sig6, Vs to the voltage at the node N1, and Vd to the voltageat the node N2. As shown in FIG. 2A, therefore, the transistor Q_(D3)should be rendered nonconductive when [Vg, Vs, Vd]=[0V, Vcc, V_(PP)]and, as shown in FIG. 2B, the source supply voltage Vcc should betransferred to the drain when [Vg, Vs]=[Vcc, Vcc].

[0023] When the cutoff characteristic of Q_(D3) shown in FIG. 2A isobtained, leakage current associated with high voltage V_(PP) will flowfrom the drain to the source, resulting in the V_(PP) level dropping.When the conductive characteristic of Q_(D3) shown in FIG. 2B is notobtained, the output voltage Vcc of the voltage switching circuit islowered.

[0024] In general, when Vcc is high, (Vg−Vs)=−Vcc in FIG. 2A increasesin the negative direction and as a result the margin for the cutoffcharacteristic of Q_(D3) increases, allowing the absolute value of thethreshold voltage (a negative value) of the transistor Q_(D3) to beincreased. For this reason, the Vcc transfer state (on state) shown inFIG. 2B can be achieved with a sufficient margin.

[0025] However, in order to achieve the cutoff characteristic of FIG. 2Awith Vcc decreased, it is required to decrease the absolute value of thethreshold voltage Of Q_(D3). Thus, the margin for the threshold voltageOf Q_(D3) for the Vcc transfer state decreases with decreasing Vcc.

[0026] That is, in FIG. 2A, Vg−Vs (0V−Vcc=−Vcc) required to turn off thedepletion transistor Q_(D3) approaches 0 volts with decreasing Vcc,which requires the threshold voltage of Q_(D3) to be set close to 0volts to cut off the third circuit 10. Therefore, the margin for the Vcctransfer state decreases.

[0027] In recent years, with decreasing power dissipation ofsemiconductor integrated circuits, the supply voltage used has beenincreasingly lowered, which involves difficulties in satisfying thecharacteristics of the n-channel depletion transistor Q_(D3) shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B. For this reason, such circuits as shown in FIGS. 3 and4 have come into use which involve many components instead of using adepletion transistor.

[0028] The circuit of FIG. 3 is a voltage switching circuit which uses athird circuit 10 a that is composed of an n-channel enhancementtransistor Q_(N2) in place of the n-channel depletion transistor Q_(D3)and a high voltage generation circuit 25 which is responsive to thesignal Sig6 to provide a high voltage to the gate of Q_(N2). With theuse of the enhancement transistor, the threshold voltage becomespositive, which allows the circumvention of the problem of reducedmargin for threshold voltage resulting from lowered supply voltage.

[0029] The circuit of FIG. 4 is a voltage switching circuit which usesas a third circuit 10 b an n-channel enhancement transistor Q_(N3)having its gate connected to receive a signal Sig7 in place of thedepletion transistor Q_(D3) and a transfer gate consisting of ap-channel enhancement transistor Q_(P2) having its gate connected toreceive a signal Sig8 and its substrate connected to the output of ann-well voltage control circuit 30. In the circuit shown in FIG. 4 aswell, an enhancement transistor is used; thus, the threshold voltagebecomes positive, allowing the circumvention of the problem of reducedmargin for threshold voltage resulting from lowered supply voltage.

[0030] However, the voltage switching circuit shown in FIG. 3 isaccompanied by an increase in the pattern area because of the provisionof the high voltage generation circuit 25. Likewise, the pattern area ofthe voltage switching circuit of FIG. 4 is increased by the n-wellvoltage control circuit 30. Both the voltage switching circuits sufferfrom a significant increase in the pattern area in comparison with thecircuit of FIG. 1.

[0031] As described above, the conventional voltage switching circuitsfor use in non-volatile semi-conductor memory devices are not allowed touse a single depletion transistor under low supply voltages because ofthe reduced threshold voltage margin. On the other hand, the use of anenhancement transistor to increase the threshold voltage margin isaccompanied by an increase in the pattern area and consequently in thechip area.

[0032] The object of the present invention is to provide a voltageswitching circuit for use in non-volatile semiconductor devices which islarge in operation margin without being accompanied by an increase inthe chip area.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0033] A voltage switching circuit according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is constructed from a minimum number of transistorsand is adapted to prevent the threshold voltage margin from beinglowered by causing high-voltage cutoff and supply voltage transferfunctions heretofore performed by a single depletion transistor to beshared between two series-connected depletion transistors different ingate insulating film thickness or threshold voltage.

[0034] Specifically, a voltage switching circuit according to anembodiment of the present invention comprises: a first circuitconfigured to output a first voltage; a second circuit configured tooutput a second voltage; and a third circuit composed of a pluralitytransistors each having a gate insulating film and connected between thefirst and second circuits, the plurality of transistors comprising firstand second transistors which are connected in series and have differentcurrent driving capabilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0035]FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of a conventional voltage switchingcircuit using a depletion transistor;

[0036]FIG. 2A is a diagram for use in explanation of the cutoff state ofthe third circuit in the voltage switching circuit of FIG. 1;

[0037]FIG. 2B is a diagram for use in explanation of the Vcc transferstate of the third circuit in the voltage switching circuit of FIG. 1;

[0038]FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of a conventional voltage switchingcircuit using an enhancement transistor;

[0039]FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of another conventional voltageswitching circuit using an enhancement transistor;

[0040]FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of a voltage switching circuitaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 6A is a diagram for use in explanation of the operation inthe cutoff state of the third circuit in the voltage switching circuitof FIG. 5;

[0042]FIG. 6B is a diagram for use in explanation of the operation inthe Vcc transfer state of the third circuit in the voltage switchingcircuit of FIG. 5;

[0043]FIG. 7A is a sectional view illustrating the structure of thethird circuit portion of the voltage switching circuit of the firstembodiment;

[0044]FIG. 7B is a sectional view illustrating the structure of thethird circuit portion of the voltage switching circuit of a secondembodiment;

[0045]FIG. 7C is a sectional view illustrating the structure of thethird circuit portion of the voltage switching circuit of a thirdembodiment;

[0046]FIG. 7D is a sectional view illustrating the structure of thethird circuit portion of the voltage switching circuit of a fourthembodiment;

[0047]FIG. 7E is a sectional view illustrating the structure of thethird circuit portion of the voltage switching circuit of a fifthembodiment;

[0048]FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of a voltage switching circuitaccording to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

[0049]FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of a voltage switching circuitaccording to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

[0050]FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of a voltage switching circuitaccording to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

[0051]FIG. 11 shows the arrangement of a voltage switching circuitaccording to a tenth embodiment of the present invention; and

[0052]FIG. 12 shows a modification of the tenth embodiment.

[0053]FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of a voltage switching circuitaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed below in detail.

[0055] [First Embodiment]

[0056]FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of a voltage switching circuitaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention. This voltageswitching circuit comprises a first circuit consisting of an enhancementP-channel transistor Q_(P1) and an enhancement N-channel transistorQ_(N1) which are connected together at node N1, a second circuitconsisting of a high voltage output circuit 2 responsive to applicationof a signal Sig3 to output a high voltage V_(PP), and a third circuitconsisting of a depletion N-channel transistor Q_(D1) having its gateconnected to receive a signal Sig4 and its source connected to the nodeN1 and a depletion N-channel transistor Q_(D2) having its gate connectedto receive a signal Sig5, its source connected to the drain of Q_(D1),and its drain connected to node N2.

[0057] Note here that the transistor Q_(D2) has a gate insulating filmthick enough to prevent breakdown thereof even with its gate, source anddrain supplied with high voltages.

[0058] Next, the operation of the voltage switching circuit will bedescribed. The first and second circuits shown in FIG. 5 remain inoperation unchanged from those in FIG. 1 and hence descriptions thereofare omitted here. Unlike the third circuit 10 in FIG. 1, in the thirdcircuit 1 in FIG. 5, the two depletion transistors Q_(D1) and Q_(D2)have their source-to-drain paths connected in series.

[0059] As with the signal Sig6 in FIG. 1, the signals Sig4 and Sig5 inFIG. 5 have a high level (supply voltage Vcc) and a low level (0 volts).In some cases, the high level of the signals Sig4 and Sig5 may be anarbitrary voltage # of more than 0 volts.

[0060] In the third circuit, when the signals Sig4 and Sig5 are raisedto the high level, the depletion N-channel transistors Q_(D1) and Q_(D2)are rendered conductive, so that the path between the nodes N1 and N2conducts. With the signals Sig4 and Sig5 at the low level, on the otherhand, the transistors Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) are off, so that the pathbetween the nodes N1 and N2 is cut off.

[0061] With the voltage levels of Sig1, Sig2, Sig3, Sig4 and Sig5 put inthis order into brackets, the correspondence between the output voltagesof the voltage switching circuit of the invention and the voltage levelsof the signals Sig1 to Sig5 can be represented as follows:

[0062] (a) [Vcc, 0V, 0V, #, #]=>[high-impedance state]

[0063] (b) [Vcc, Vcc, 0V, #, #]=>[output voltage=0V]

[0064] (c) [0V, 0V, 0V, Vcc, Vcc]=>[output voltage=Vcc]

[0065] (d) [0V, 0V, Vcc, 0V, 0V]=>[output voltage=V_(PP)]

[0066] where # in (a) and (b) indicates that the level of the signalsSig4 and Sig5 may be any voltage as long as it is more than 0 volts.

[0067] The feature of the voltage switching circuit shown in FIG. 5 isthe provision of the depletion n-channel transistors Q_(D1) and Q_(D2)between the node (the output node) N2 to which the high voltage V_(PP)is applied and the node N1 to which voltages of Vcc or less are applied.The use of two transistors Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) allows voltage cutoff to beproduced with ease between the node N2 to which the high voltage V_(PP)is applied at the high-voltage output time and the node N1 to which thehigh voltage is not applied and the pattern area to be reduced incomparison with the conventional circuits shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0068]FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the operation of the third circuit 1.In order for the voltage switching circuit to output desired voltages,the transistors Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) are required to satisfy suchcharacteristics as indicated by broken arrows.

[0069] That is, when [Sig4, Sig5, N1, N2]=[0V, 0V, Vcc, V_(PP)], eitherOf Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) must be cut off. When [Sig4, Sig5, N1]=[Vcc, Vcc,Vcc], the supply voltage Vcc must be transferred through Q_(D1) andQ_(D2) to the node N2.

[0070] In the above example, the Q_(D1), Q_(D2) bias condition forcutting off the path between the nodes N1 and N2 is set such that Sig4=Sig5=0V and the bias condition for allowing the transfer of Vcc betweenthe nodes N1 and N2 is set such that Sig4=Sig5=Vcc; however, this is notrestrictive.

[0071] For example, when the threshold voltage (negative value) ofQ_(D1) is lower than that of Q_(D2) and the cutoff state and the Vcctransfer state between nodes N1 and N2 depends solely on the action ofQ_(D2), it is possible to set the voltage level of the signal Sig4 tothe gate of Q_(D1) to either 0V or Vcc for both the cutoff state and theVcc transfer state. It is also possible to set the voltage level of thesignal Sig5 to the gate Of Q_(D2) to either 0V or Vcc for both thecutoff state and the Vcc transfer state when the threshold voltage(negative value) Of Q_(D2) is lower than that of Q_(D1) and the cutoffstate and the Vcc transfer state between nodes N1 and N2 depends solelyon the action of Q_(D1).

[0072] When the characteristics of the transistors Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) asshown in FIG. 6A are not satisfied, leakage current associated with thehigh voltage V_(PP) will flow through Q_(D1) and Q_(D2), so that thelevel of V_(PP) drops. When the characteristics of the transistorsQ_(D1) and Q_(D2) as shown in FIG. 6B are not met, the Vcc transferfunction of Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) fails, causing the level of output voltageVcc to drop.

[0073] Here, a description is given of the reason why the provision oftwo depletion transistors Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) as in the inventive circuitallows both the cutoff state shown in FIG. 6A and the transfer stateshown in FIG. 6B to be fulfilled easily in comparison with the casewhere only one depletion transistor Q_(D3) is provided as in theconventional circuit.

[0074]FIG. 7A shows the sectional structure of the third circuitcomprised of the depletion n-channel transistor Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) formedin a semiconductor substrate. In FIG. 7A, there are illustrated a P-well(or a P-type substrate) 3, N-type diffusion layers 5, gate electrodes 7,and gate insulating films (only their thickness is illustrated) 8. Thesource diffusion layer 5 of Q_(D1) forms the node N1. The draindiffusion layer 5 Of Q_(D1) which also serves as the source diffusionlayer Of Q_(D2) forms the node N3. The drain diffusion layer 5 of Q_(D2)forms the node N2.

[0075] In the third circuit shown in FIG. 7A, the transistor Q_(D1)having its gate connected to receive the signal Sig4 and the transistorQ_(D2) having its gate connected to receive the signal Sig5 are formedso that their respective gate insulating films 8 have differentthicknesses of tox1 and tox2. The transistor Q_(D2) needs a thick gateinsulating film because its drain diffusion layer 5 is connected to thenode N2 to which the high voltage V_(PP) is output.

[0076] However, the thickness of the gate insulating film of Q_(D1) isallowed to be smaller than that of the gate insulating film Of Q_(D2)(i.e., tox1<tox2). This is because, since the drain diffusion layer 5 ofQ_(D1) is not directly connected with the node N2, and the gate ofQ_(D2) is at 0 volts even when the node N2 is applied with V_(PP), thedrain diffusion layer 5 (the node N3) of Q_(D1) is only applied with avoltage of the order of the absolute value of the threshold voltage ofQ_(D2) (assuming the threshold voltage of Q_(D2) to be −Vtd2, thevoltage at node N3 is Vtd2 (<<V_(PP))).

[0077] In general, a change in source-drain current with respect to achange in gate voltage, ·Id/·Vg, increases with decreasing thickness ofthe gate insulating film. It therefore becomes easy to make the cutoffcondition shown in FIG. 6A and the Vcc transfer condition shown in FIG.6B compatible with each other. If the cutoff condition is fulfilled byQ_(D1) in FIG. 7A, Q_(D2) has only to fulfill the Vcc transfer conditionalone. Thus, the Vcc transfer condition can be fulfilled readily bylowering the threshold voltage of Q_(D2) (to a negative value large inabsolute value).

[0078] For this reason, it becomes possible to provide, at low cost andat high yield, a voltage switching circuit which is large in operationmargin and small in chip area without the use of the third circuit 10 aor 10 b having a large pattern area as shown in FIG. 3 or 4 even when alow supply voltage Vcc is used.

[0079] [Second Embodiment]

[0080] Next, a voltage switching circuit according to a secondembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 7B, which illustrates the sectional structure of the third circuitin the second embodiment. The first and second circuits remain unchangedfrom those in the first embodiment and descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0081] The third circuit of FIG. 7B is provided with a P-type substrate3 a, a P-well formed in the P-type substrate, and N-type diffusionlayers 5 formed in the P-type substrate 3 a and the P-well 4.

[0082] The source diffusion layer of the depletion N-channel transistorQ_(D1) formed in the P-well 4 is connected with node N1 using a wiring6. The drain diffusion layer 5 of Q_(D1) is connected with the sourcediffusion layer of the depletion N-channel transistor Q_(D2) formed inthe P-type substrate 3 a using a wiring 6 forming node N3. The draindiffusion layer 5 Of Q_(D2) is connected to node N2 using a wiring 6.

[0083] Other portions remain the same as in the first embodiment anddescriptions thereof are thus omitted. The surface of the semiconductorsubstrate is covered with an insulating film 8 a except areas where thewirings 6 make contact with the diffusion layers 5.

[0084] The depletion transistors Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) need not necessarilybe formed in the same well or substrate but may be formed in a differentwell or substrate as shown in FIG. 7B. In this case as well, by settingQ_(D1) and Q_(D2) such that tox1<tox2 is the thickness of the gateinsulating film, the cutoff condition and the Vcc transfer condition canbe made compatible with each other as in the case of FIG. 7A.

[0085] [Third Embodiment]

[0086] Next, a voltage switching circuit according to a third embodimentof the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7C,which illustrates the sectional structure of the third circuit in thethird embodiment. The sectional structure of FIG. 7C is the same as thatin FIG. 7A except that tox1=tox2 and a description of the structure isthus omitted.

[0087] In the third circuit of FIG. 7C, Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) are formed tohave gate insulating films of equal thickness (tox1=tox2) but havedifferent threshold voltages as a result of changing channel ionimplantation conditions. The provision of a degree of freedom in settingthe threshold voltages of Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) results in a high degree offreedom in the voltage at the node N3. Thus, the cutoff condition andthe Vcc transfer condition can be made compatible with each other withease in comparison with the prior arts.

[0088] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0089] Next, a voltage switching circuit according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 7D, which illustrates the sectional structure of the third circuitin the fourth embodiment. The sectional structure of FIG. 7D is the sameas that in FIG. 7B except that the transistors Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) areformed in P-well 1 (4) and P-well 2 (4 a), respectively, in a P-typesubstrate (or N-type substrate) 3 b and a further description of thestructure is thus omitted.

[0090] In general, the lower the impurity concentration of a well orsubstrate in which a transistor is formed, the greater the change insource-drain current with respect to change in gate voltage, ·Id/·Vg,becomes.

[0091] For this reason, by setting the impurity concentration of theP-well 2 (4 a) in which the transistor Q_(D1) is formed higher or lowerthan that of the P-well 1 (4), the degree of freedom in combination ofthreshold voltages of transistors can be increased; thus, it becomeseasy to make the cutoff condition and the Vcc transfer conditioncompatible with each other.

[0092] Particularly when P-well 1<P-well 2 in impurity concentration,·Id/·Vg of Q_(D1) can be made greater than when P-well 1=P-well 2. Thus,the cutoff condition and the Vcc transfer condition can easily be madecompatible with each other for Q_(D1).

[0093] [Fifth Embodiment]

[0094] Next, a voltage switching circuit according to a fifth embodimentof the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7E,which illustrates the sectional structure of the third circuit in thefifth embodiment. The sectional structure of FIG. 7E is the same as thatin FIG. 7B except that the transistor Q_(D1) is formed in the P-typesubstrate 3 a and the transistor Q_(D2) is formed in P-well 2 (4 a) inthe P-type substrate 3 a and a further description of the structure isthus omitted.

[0095] Even when only Q_(D1) is formed in the P-type substrate andQ_(D2) is formed in the P-well as shown in FIG. 7E, the impurityconcentration of the P-type substrate is usually lower that of theP-well, allowing easy fulfillment of the cutoff condition and the Vcctransfer condition through Q_(D1) as in the case of FIG. 7D. Even ifQ_(D1) and Q_(D2) have their gate insulating film set such thattox1=tox2 in the fourth and fifth embodiments, a significant improvementwill be made over the conventional circuit shown in FIG. 1. Withtox1<tox2, a still further improvement will be obtained owing to thecombined effect of the impurity concentration and the gate insulatingfilm thickness.

[0096] In the first through fifth embodiments described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 5 through 7, basically each of the first and second depletiontransistor Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) has its own function. That is, thetransistor Q_(D1) serves the function of making the cutoff condition andthe Vcc transfer condition between the nodes N1 and N2 compatible witheach other, and the transistor Q_(D2) serves the function of fulfillingonly the Vcc transfer condition while causing the maximum of the voltagelevel transferred to node N3 to fall below V_(PP).

[0097] [Sixth Embodiment]

[0098] Next, a method of manufacturing the depletion transistors Q_(D1)and Q_(D2) will be described as a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention. In general, in fabricating a transistor, impurities are ionimplanted into the channel portion of that transistor in order to setits threshold voltage to a desired value. This process is referredhereinafter to as the channel ion implantation. In many cases, thechannel ion implantation is performed separately on each of transistorsthat are to have different threshold voltages Vt. Thus, as many channelion implantation masks as there are types of transistors are needed. Thefewer the masks, the lower the chip manufacturing cost becomes.

[0099] As described previously, in the present invention the firstdepletion transistor Q_(D1) is intended to make the cutoff condition andthe Vcc transfer condition between nodes N1 and N2 compatible with eachother and the second depletion transistor Q_(D2) is intended to fulfillthe Vcc transfer condition alone; therefore, it is desirable that thethreshold voltage of Q_(D2) be relatively low (particularly lower thanthe threshold voltage Of Q_(D1); i.e., Vt(Q_(D1))>Vt(Q_(D2))).

[0100] When, as shown in FIG. 7A, Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) are formed in thesame well (or the same substrate) and their gate insulating filmthickness is set such that tox1<tox2, if Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) are subjectedto the same channel ion implantation process, then the absolute value ofthe threshold voltage (V_(td1)) Of Q_(D1) will usually become smallerthan that of the threshold voltage (V_(td2)) Of Q_(D2) (Vtd1<Vtd2);thus, Vt(Q_(D1))=−Vtd1>Vt(Q_(D2))=−Vtd2. It therefore becomes possibleto subject Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) to the same channel ion implantationprocess.

[0101] Thus, when Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) have their gate insulating filmthickness related such that tox1<tox2, by making the channel ionimplantation process common to Q_(D1) and Q_(D2), the masks and themanufacturing processes can be reduced in number, allowing the chipmanufacturing cost to be reduced. In the structures of FIGS. 7B, 7D and7E as well, the transistors Q_(D1) and Q_(D2) may be subjected to thesame channel ion implantation process with the same effect as in thecase of FIG. 7A.

[0102] [Seventh Embodiment]

[0103] Next, a voltage switching circuit according to a seventhembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 8. As the seventh embodiment a description is given of amodification of the voltage switching circuit of the first embodiment.

[0104] In the voltage switching circuit shown in FIG. 8, a third circuit1 a consisting of depletion N-channel transistors Q_(D4) and Q_(D5) isconnected between the node N1 and the enhancement P-channel transistorQ_(P1) in the first circuit in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0105] In this circuit, V_(PP) from the second high-voltage outputcircuit in the first embodiment is directly output to node N1 and atmost, the supply voltage Vcc (<<V_(PP)) is merely applied to node N5between the transistors Q_(p1) and Q_(D4); therefore, the gate insultingfilm of Q_(D4) connected to node N5 is made smaller in thickness thanthat of Q_(D5) connected to node N1. Input signals Sig8 and Sig9 areapplied to the gates Of Q_(D4) and Q_(D5), respectively. Thecorrespondence between the voltage levels of the respective inputsignals [Sig1, Sig2, Sig3, Sig8, Sig9] and the output voltages isrepresented as follows:

[0106] (a) [Vcc, 0V, 0V, ##]=>[high-impedance state]

[0107] (b) [Vcc, Vcc, 0V, #, #]=>[output voltage=0V]

[0108] (c) [0V, 0V, 0V, Vcc, Vcc]=>[output voltage=Vcc]

[0109] (d) [0V, 0V, Vcc, 0V, 0V]=>[output voltage=V_(PP)]

[0110] The outputs in (a) to (d) remain unchanged from those in thefirst embodiment.

[0111] Thus, the voltage switching circuit of the seventh embodiment hasthe same function as the voltage switching circuit of the firstembodiment. However, since the high voltage V_(PP) is output to the nodeN1, the enhancement N-channel transistor Q_(N4) should have its gateinsulting film set to substantially the same thickness as Q_(D5).

[0112] [Eighth Embodiment]

[0113] Next, a voltage switching circuit according to an eighthembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 9. As the eighth embodiment a description is given of amodification of the voltage switching circuit of the seventh embodiment.

[0114] In the voltage switching circuit of the eighth embodiment shownin FIG. 9, a depletion N-channel transistor Q_(D6) is further connectedbetween the node N1 and the enhancement N-channel transistor Q_(N4) inthe seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 9, the portioncorresponding to the transistor circuit 1 a in FIG. 8 is indicated as atransistor circuit 1 b.

[0115] In the transistor circuit 1 b of FIG. 9, not only are twodepletion N-channel transistors Q_(D4) and Q_(D5), adapted to improvethe V_(PP) cutoff condition and the Vcc transfer condition, connectedbetween the nodes N1 and N5, but a single depletion n-channel transistorQ_(D6) adapted to improve the V_(PP) cutoff condition is also connectedbetween the nodes N1 and N8.

[0116] In this circuit, the node N1 is directly supplied with V_(PP)from the second high-voltage output circuit in the first embodiment andthe node N5 is merely supplied with, at a maximum, the supply voltageVcc (<<V_(PP)); therefore, the gate insulting film Of Q_(D4) connectedto the node N5 is made smaller in thickness than that Of Q_(D5) andQ_(D6) connected to the node N1. Input signals Sig10 and Sig11 areapplied to the gates of Q_(D4) and Q_(D5), respectively, and an inputsignal Sig12 is applied to the gate of Q_(D6). The correspondencebetween the voltage levels of the respective input signals [Sig1, Sig2,Sig3, Sig10, Sig11, Sig12] and the output voltages is represented asfollows:

[0117] (a) [Vcc, 0V, 0V, #, #, #]=>[high-impedance state]

[0118] (b) [Vcc, Vcc, 0V, #, #, #]=>[output voltage=0V]

[0119] (c) [0V, 0V, 0V, Vcc, Vcc, #]=>[output voltage=Vcc]

[0120] (d) [0V, 0V, Vcc, 0V, 0V, 0V]=>[output voltage =V_(PP) ]

[0121] The outputs in (a) to (d) remain unchanged from those in theseventh embodiment.

[0122] Thus, the voltage switching circuit of the eighth embodiment hasthe same function as the voltage switching circuit of the seventhembodiment. However, since the high voltage V_(PP) is output to the nodeN1, the depletion N-channel transistor Q_(D6) should have its gateinsulting film set to substantially the same thickness as Q_(D5).Instead, Q_(N2) is allowed to have substantially the same gate insultingfilm thickness as Q_(N1) in FIG. 5.

[0123] [Ninth Embodiment]

[0124] Next, a voltage switching circuit according to a ninth embodimentof the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Asthe ninth embodiment a description is given of a modification of thevoltage switching circuit of the eighth embodiment.

[0125] In the voltage switching circuit of the ninth embodiment shown inFIG. 10, a depletion N-channel transistor Q_(D7) is further connectedbetween the depletion N-channel transistor Q_(D6) and the enhancementN-channel transistor Q_(N2) in the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 9. InFIG. 10, the portion corresponding to the transistor circuit 1 b in FIG.9 is indicated as a transistor circuit 1 c.

[0126] In the transistor circuit 1 c of FIG. 10, not only are twodepletion N-channel transistors Q_(D4) and Q_(D5), adapted to improvethe V_(PP) cutoff condition and the Vcc transfer condition, connectedbetween the nodes N1 and N5, but two depletion N-channel transistorQ_(D6) and Q_(D7) adapted to improve the V_(PP) cutoff condition and theVcc transfer condition are also connected between the nodes N1 and N7.

[0127] In this circuit, the node N1 is directly supplied with V_(PP)from the second high-voltage output circuit in the first embodiment andthe node N5 is merely supplied with, at a maximum, the supply voltageVcc (<<V_(PP)); therefore, the gate insulting film Of Q_(D4) connectedto the node N5 is made smaller in thickness than that Of Q_(D5) andQ_(D6) connected to the node N1. Likewise, the gate insulting film OfQD₇ connected to the node N7 is made smaller in thickness than that ofQ_(D5) and Q_(D6).

[0128] Input signals Sig10 and Sig11 are applied to the gates of Q_(D4)and Q_(D5), respectively, and input signals Sig12 and Sig13 are appliedto the gates Of Q_(D6) and Q_(D7), respectively. The correspondencebetween the voltage levels of the respective input signals [Sig1, Sig2,Sig3, Sig10, Sig11, Sig12, Sig13] and the output voltages is representedas follows:

[0129] (a) [Vcc, 0V, 0V, #, #, #, #]=>[high-impedance state]

[0130] (b) [Vcc, Vcc, 0V, #, #, #, #]=>[output voltage=0V]

[0131] (c) [0V, 0V, 0V, Vcc, Vcc, #, #]=>[output voltage=Vcc]

[0132] (d) [0V, 0V, Vcc, 0V, 0V, 0V, 0V]=>[output voltage=V_(PP)]

[0133] The outputs in (a) to (d) remain unchanged from those in theeighth embodiment.

[0134] Thus, the voltage switching circuit of the ninth embodiment hasthe same function as the voltage switching circuit of the eighthembodiment. Since the high voltage V_(PP) is output to the node N1 as inthe eighth embodiment, the depletion N-channel transistor Q_(D6) has itsgate insulting film set to substantially the same thickness as Q_(D5).

[0135] The ninth embodiment is larger in the number of transistors usedthan the seventh and eighth embodiments. In the ninth embodiment,however, since two depletion transistors are used not only between thenodes N1 and N5 on the Vcc side but also between the nodes N1 and N7 onthe ground side, the V_(PP) cutoff condition and the Vcc transfercondition can be optimized. Accordingly, a voltage switching circuit canbe provided which operates stably with a low supply voltage Vcc.

[0136] [Tenth Embodiment]

[0137] Next, voltage switching circuits according to a tenth embodimentof the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11and 12. The voltage switching circuit shown in FIG. 11 is arranged suchthat only the upper portion of the circuit of FIG. 10 between the nodeN1 and Vcc is connected to the node N1, whereas The voltage switchingcircuit shown in FIG. 11 is arranged such that only the lower portion ofthe circuit of FIG. 10 between the node N1 and ground is connected tothe node N1.

[0138] From the description of FIG. 10 it is evident that the output ofthe voltage switching circuit of FIG. 11 is at Vcc, V_(PP), or in thehigh-impedance state, while the output of the voltage switching circuitof FIG. 12 is at 0 volts, V_(PP), or in the high-impedance state.Depending on the circuit arrangement of semiconductor devices to whichthe present invention is applied, a voltage level of Vcc or ground maynot be required. In such a case, the voltage switching circuits of thetenth embodiment will be effective.

[0139] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments describedso far. For example, although the embodiments have been described as onenode of the third circuit being applied with the high voltage V_(PP) andthe other node being applied with voltages of less than the supplyvoltage Vcc, this is not restrictive. The present invention is alsoeffective in the case where the other node is applied with anintermediate voltage Vm (Vcc<Vm<V_(PP)).

[0140] In the first through fourth embodiments, descriptions have beengiven of the arrangement of series connection of multiple depletiontransistors having gate insulting films different in thickness, themanufacture of the depletion transistors under the same channel ionimplantation conditions, and the formation of the depletion transistorsin different wells or a well and a substrate. The invention is notlimited to the use of depletion transistors. Those arrangement andprocess can be equally applied to enhancement transistors.

[0141] In the above voltage switching circuits, even if the conductivitytype (polarity) of constituent elements used is reversed, the samecircuit function can be implemented. For example, the function of thethird circuit shown in FIG. 5 may be implemented with two depletionP-channel transistors Q_(PD1) and Q_(PD2) as illustrated in a furtherembodiment depicted in FIG. 13. In such a configuration, the polaritiesof the voltages are inverted from the corresponding voltages of FIG. 5.More specifically, signals Sig1 to Sig5 are changed to inverted signals/Sig1 to /Sig5, whereas the high voltage output circuit is changed to anegative voltage output circuit. The Vcc and GND terminals are exchangedin positions. In the above embodiments, the function of the thirdcircuit that is composed basically of two depletion transistors that areseries connected has been mainly described; however, three or moredepletion transistors may be used to implement the same function. Thepresent invention may be practiced or embodied in still other wayswithout departing from the scope and sprit thereof.

[0142] According to the present invention, as described above, voltageswitching circuits adapted for non-volatile semiconductor storagedevices can be provided which, even if the supply voltage used is low,allow the operation margin to be large with no increase in chip area.

What is claimed is:
 1. A voltage switching circuit comprising: a firstcircuit configured to output a first voltage; a second circuitconfigured to output a second voltage; and a third circuit composed of aplurality transistors each having a gate insulting film and connectedbetween said first and second circuits, said plurality of transistorscomprising first and second transistors which are connected in seriesand have different current driving capabilities.